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Old 10-09-2006, 03:50 AM
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glenc (Glen)
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Terranora
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Herschel's telescope

William Herschel calculated that a new speculum mirror absorbed 33% of the light and hence it reflected 67%.[1] Aluminium mirrors reflect 89% of the visible light.[2] This means Herschel's 18.3” had the same magnitude limit as a 15.5'' aluminium mirror assuming there was no secondary in Herschel’s telescope. So todays 16" should show all the faintest Herschel objects but may not resolve as well.

[1] The History of the Telescope. King p. 137.

[2] King p. 382.
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